NFL Player News

Woods was claimed off waivers by the Jets on Wednesday, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

Woods spent the past two seasons on injured reserve due to hamstring and toe injuries after posting 312 receiving yards and three touchdowns in a promising 2022 rookie season for the Colts. Indianapolis invested significant draft capital into the tight end position during Woods' absence, leading to him being waived Tuesday, but he lands on his feet Wednesday, joining an underwhelming Jets depth chart topped by rookie second-round pick Mason Taylor. If the 6-foot-7 Woods rediscovers his own rookie form, he could surpass backups Jeremy Ruckert and Stone Smartt before long.

Otton is dealing with a leg injury that could impact his Week 1 availability, Greg Auman of Fox Sports reports.

It's reportedly separate from the hamstring injury that limited Otton's participation during the second and third weeks of training camp. He even ended up making a preseason appearance, but now he's missing practice again less than two weeks before the regular-season opener against Atlanta. The Bucs kept four tight ends on their initial 53-man roster, likely setting up a committee between Devin Culp, Payne Durham and/or Ko Kieft if Otton were to miss Week 1.

Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta said Wednesday that he expects Likely (foot) "back in the early part of the season," Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com reports.

DeCosta specifically mentioned that Baltimore's decision not to place Likely on IR during roster cuts Tuesday is indicative of the team's expectations that he'll miss less than the requisite four games such a transaction would require. It remains to be seen, though, whether Likely has a chance to suit up Week 1 against Buffalo as he works his way back from surgery undergone in late July to address a fracture in his left foot. Baltimore's pass-catchers across the board could see a slight uptick in targets if Likely misses any time, with the primary beneficiaries being starting tight end Mark Andrews and No. 3 man Charlie Kolar, as well as No. 3 wideout DeAndre Hopkins.

Taula was waived Tuesday, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site reports.

Taula failed to make Tampa Bay's initial 53-man roster. After spending the entire 2024 regular season on the Buccaneers' practice squad, Taula could be headed back there again, assuming he passes through waivers unclaimed.

Franks made the Falcons' initial 53-man roster Tuesday.

The Falcons kept four tight ends, leaving Franks to compete with Teagan Quitoriano for backup snaps behind Kyle Pitts and Charlie Woerner. Franks started his career as an undrafted free agent with the Falcons before joining the Panthers last year. He caught his first career pass with Carolina last season, and he's played more on special teams than offense in his career.

Quitoriano made the Falcons' initial 53-man roster Tuesday.

The Falcons kept four tight ends, with Quitoriano and Feleipe Franks competing for reserve snaps behind Kyle Pitts and Charlie Woerner. Quitoriano caught nine passes for 146 yards during his first two seasons in Houston but wasn't targeted across 96 offensive snaps last year.

Lang was waived Tuesday, John Boyle of the Seahawks' official site reports.

The Seahawks are keeping four tight ends on their initial 53-man roster, but Lang isn't among them. The rookie out of Northwestern could resurface on the practice squad after passing through waivers.

Dabney was waived Tuesday, Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site reports.

Dabney didn't make the cut, as the Titans kept only three tight ends on their initial 53-man roster: Chig Okonkwo, Gunnar Helm and David Martin-Robinson. The rookie out of TCU is expected to pass through waivers unclaimed.

Spann-Ford (ankle) was able to practice Monday, Joseph Hoyt of The Dallas Morning News reports.

The second-year tight end suffered an ankle injury during training camp in late July. Spann-Ford recovered in time to avoid a stint on the IR, and the fact that the Cowboys carried only three TEs on their initial 53-man roster is a strong sign that he'll be ready for Week 1. Spann-Ford will compete for snaps with Luke Schoonmaker (concussion) behind starter Jake Ferguson.

Watson was waived by the Chiefs on Tuesday.

Watson signed with Kansas City as an undrafted free agent in April, ultimately recording just one catch for four yards in one preseason contest with the team. The tight end will likely clear waivers and then look for another opportunity elsewhere.